Breast Cancer Husband

When Marc Silver became a breast cancer husband three years ago, he learned first-hand how frightened and helpless the breast cancer husband feels. He searched in vain for a book that would give him the information and advice he so desperately sought. Now this award-winning journalist has compiled just the kind of emotionally supportive and useful resource that he wished he had been able to consult -- to give men the tools they need to help their wives, their families, and themselves through this scary, uncertain time.

Author

Marc Silver is an editor at U.S. News & World Report, where he has been a longtime contributor to the News You Can Use section. His wife, Marsha, was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago: after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, she is in good health. They are the parents of two daughters, ages 18 and 16.

Reviews

"The book that breast cancer patients and their families have been waiting for. Here's a practical guide for the too many husbands who will need it."

--Cokie Roberts, news analyst and breast cancer survivor

"Breast cancer is a family affair. Marc Silver touches the raw nerves of breast cancer husbands with insight, tenderness, wisdom, and just the right amount of humor to both help and heal. This book is a gift to them -- and to the women they love."

--Bernadine Healy, M.D., former director of the National Institutes of Health and a medical columnist for U.S. News & World Report

"When breast cancer happens to the woman you love, all you want to do is fix it and make it go away. This terrific book gives partners the useful and sensitive answers they need to so many of the how-tos, what-ifs, and when-wills that come up along the way."

--Marisa Weiss, M.D., founder and president of breastcancer.org

"A supercharged survival guide for men and women confronting any life-threatening illness. Well-informed and practical, Silver uncovers the controversies and conflicts that arise under fire and guides you with love, support, and inspiration."

--Matthew Loscalzo, director of patient and family support at the University of California at San Diego Cancer Center

"With a wonderful blend of empathy, humor, and information, Breast Cancer Husband is a buddy and an on-call support group for men who love women with breast cancer."

--Hester Hill Schnipper, oncology social worker and author of After Breast Cancer: A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment

"Breast Cancer Husband illuminates the challenges presented by a cancer diagnosis and the helplessness that husbands often feel. Marc Silver provides vital resources and solutions for caretakers."

--Mitch Stoller, president and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation

"No one should face breast cancer alone. But how does a husband support his wife when he may be feeling frustrated, sad, and angry himself? Author Marc Silver fills an essential niche with his book, Breast Cancer Husband, offering emotional support and practical advice to help men be compassionate caregivers -- everything from tips for talking to children to a frank discussion of sexuality and intimacy."

--Nancy G. Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

"When cancer happens, it happens to the entire family -- not just the person with the diagnosis. Marc Silver knows this and -- thank goodness -- has written an honest, informative and, yes, even humorous guide for breast cancer husbands. A must-read for every man who's learning to live with breast cancer."

--Diane Perlmutter, CEO, Gilda's Club Worldwide

"A clear, concise crash-course that lists the best ways to help when a man sets out to support his wife through the ordeal of breast cancer."

--William H. Goodson, III, M.D., breast surgeon and clinical research scientist, San Francisco

"Breast Cancer Husband bravely and honestly discusses topics -- including talking with your children about the diagnosis, the nuances of diagnosis and therapy, and intimacy issues -- that men need to understand to be helpful, supportive partners in the battle against cancer."

--Mikkael Sekeres, M.D., staff oncologist, at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and author of Facing Cancer

"If the woman in your life has breast cancer, you will likely feel less alone, and more confident in your skills to support her emotionally and practically, after reading this book. Marc Silver deftly blends expert advice, personal accounts, and the latest research to create a lively and highly readable resource for men who love a breast cancer survivor."

--Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D., professor of behavioral science, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

"Marc Silver has written the book that every woman faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer will want her husband to read. It's honest, engaging and inspirational. I will highly recommend it to congregants and clients."

--The Reverend Debra W. Haffner, director, Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing

"The only book of its kind, Breast Cancer Husband offers straightforward, honest, easy-to-read information that will help husbands and their spouses deal with this devastating disease. If only we had had Marc Silver as our mentor when we got the diagnosis of breast cancer with its maze of decisions and emotions! His book is truly a Godsend."

--Allen and Linda Anderson, coauthors of Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort and founders of the Angel Animals Network

"Indisputably, the crushing burden of breast cancer falls on the woman. Yet husbands soon learn that they too have plenty of picking up to do: the slack, her spirits, the house, the pieces. Marc Silver's book helps husbands cope."

--Jack Burlingame, breast cancer husband and founding board member of the breast cancer group Men With Heart (menwithheart.org)

"I read this book through in a single sitting, and I was immediately struck by the commonality of experience among all of us breast cancer husbands. As different and varied as our stories may be, we all share many consistent elements. That, I think, is what makes this book invaluable to any man who is faced with being a breast cancer husband. The knowledge that many other men have felt the same fear, uncertainty, sadness, and guilt when confronting this disease in their closest loved one cannot be overvalued. Example: Who knew there were other "car criers?' All this time I thought it was just me! There is no sugarcoating in this book: it is a sometimes brutally realistic look at the reality of living with cancer, with just enough science to make it informative and a liberal dose of gentle but very necessary humor. A must-have for any (reluctant) breast cancer husband. I only wish I had the benefit of this book during my rude introduction to the world of breast cancer."